You're Pregnant? You're Fired!

Protecting Mothers, Fathers and Other Caregivers in the Workplace

Fighting Pregnancy Discrimination in the Workplace

A book by respected trial lawyer and former federal prosecutor Tom Spiggle for mothers, fathers and caregivers facing caregiving or pregnancy discrimination in the workplace.

Pregnancy is hard enough. Going through it with a boss who is unsympathetic – or even downright hostile-only makes it more difficult. And when that disapproval turns into discrimination, it can hurt your job, your future and your children’s future.

But fighting back isn’t easy either. Federal and state laws protect pregnant women and caregivers from discrimination, but they are filled with loopholes and exemptions that are all too often abused. Your employer will have lawyers who know how to work the system.

Other issues in workplace discrimination including the protection of caregivers

What readers are saying

“When it comes to protecting families in the workplace, Tom Spiggle is a leading authority. This book will be very helpful for caregivers, male or female.” When it comes to protecting families in the workplace, Tom Spiggle is a leading authority. This book will be very helpful for caregivers, male or female.”Annie Noble

“The book is filled with valuable information, action steps and understanding commentary. This is an essential guide for mother-to-be or a new mom dealing with workplace issues”Lee Rosen

“Employees often have substantial disadvantages when dealing with employers over employment issues. This book helps to balance the playing field, and gives employees knowledge about the key resources and legal protections available to them.”H. Clay Hodges

For Your Book Club

For book clubs looking to discuss the problems facing mothers and fathers, and other caregivers in the workplace, and explore practical solutions, “You’re Pregnant? You’re Fired!” provides a comprehensive overview. Tom Spiggle does not advocate for any one approach but instead outlines worker’s rights, explains their options, and gives practical advice written in an accessible style.

Below are some questions, which may help spark discussion at your book club.

What kinds of discrimination do pregnant women and working mothers face?

How have stereotypes of gender roles in the family affected your supervisors’ treatment of you? If you have children, did you notice a change after becoming a parent?

In Chapter 9, Tom notes that companies can legally discriminate against employees who wish to maintain healthier work-life balances — as long as they do so equally among both male and female workers. Do you think that’s right?

Many of the sample cases in the book revolve around personal information that workers voluntarily shared with their bosses that was then used against them. Does knowing about discrimination make you less likely to share with your coworkers?

Tom recommends writing human resources an email if you have concerns over how your supervisor is treating you, in part to establish a paper trail in the event that you are fired or demoted. How likely would you be to take that step?

He also cautions against making anonymous calls to workplace hotlines, in part because they don’t leave a paper trail which can protect you from retaliation. Do you agree or disagree with this approach?

Federal law requires that workers at medium- and large-sized companies be allowed to express breast milk in a clean and private area. Does your workplace have such a place set aside? Has it been used? Do you think all workplaces should have this designated space? Why or why not?